Trip 146 - Swaffham and North Walsham

Friday 11th July (Day 1)

So off to Swaffham. That said we did not need to leave until 1130. The first stop was at Tescos and then an hours journey to Swaffham Rugby Club for an MCC meet. We arrived at 1330 and were soon set up. Lunch followed by a sit in the shade with 30+ degrees heat. Around 1530 we walked into town to look around and had an inevitable, pint. Back to the site and we had a really simple meal as it was so hot and there was no cooking involved. The evening then was over to the club house, but even that was too hot, so most of our time was spent sitting outside with a quite large group. 2300 saw us back for bed.

Saturday 12th July (Day 2)

Another warm night. A slow start and simple breakfast and then a walk up into town for the market. It is a good market and also has a lot of rubbish items to be bid for at an auction. Just standing and watching the auctioneer is always entertaining. After a stroll around we went for a coffee. We also booked our Sunday roast for tomorrow. We returned via the church which is quite impressive. Carved on top of the front two pews are a man with a back pack on one side and a dog on the other. This is ‘Peddar Man’. The story goes he had a dream of a hoard of gold. He, and his dog, walked to London but returned empty handed only to find two pots of gold buried in his garden, which went towards building the church. Further on our return able we found a green space called ‘Campingland’  This has been used since the 15th century for archery and sports. Indeed an early form of rugby was played, normally with a stone. No rules. kicking, fighting etc allowed and deaths sometimes occurred. Back at the site we had a light lunch and then just lazed around in the sunshine. We started our long delayed International Rummikub Tournament and currently I am 4 - 2 up. The evening meal was fish and chips from the local chippie delivered to the site (only £17 for the two of us). While not great, it was a good meal. We opted not to go to the hall as we wanted to watch the Lioness’s play Wales in the Women’s Euros. Only to find it was tomorrow. So we went to the hall and bought some bingo tickets - a result as Chris won a full house (£50)!  We then sat outside the hall and chatted with a group of the MCC members, unusually, we needed a light jacket as it was definitely chilling down. Back to the motorhome at 2215 and eventually bed.

Sunday 13th July (Day 3)

A cooler night and start to the day. That said we had a lazy slow start - no real change there. We had lunch booked for 1400. By 1215 we left the site on a circular walk taking our lunch spot into account. A pleasant walk in the not-too-hot-sunshine, with deer, hares and pheasants to see. We were back into town a bit early so had a pint. Over to Nelson’s Nest café. For £19 we had roast beef with roast potatoes, five vegetables and a yorkshire pudding and also a desert. That was £19 for both of us. Not cordon bleu but good wholesome food. We then returned to the site to watch the Men’s Singles Wimbledon Final and the Lioness’ beat walks 6 - 1.

Monday 14th July (Day 4)

We have done Swaffham to death so are off! After breakfast we said a few goodbyes and filled / emptied. We then had an hours drive to Model Farm, North Walsham, Norfolk. It is an out of the way site but close to the Weavers Way. After settling in we got the bikes of to cycle to Aylsham about six or seven miles. For me the ride was easy but Chris was not a fan as part of it was narrow and bumpy. A bit of drama as a field next to the pathway was on fire and the fire engines were present to sort it. Having got to Aylsham, which is a small but quite pretty town, we went to lock our bikes up to go for a stroll. For the first time ever we had the lock etc with us but I had forgotten to bring the keys! We were not happy to leave the bikes appearing to be locked so we went to a pub nearby for a pint and then cycled back to the motorhome. Just over fourteen miles covered. We sat in the sunshine until a simple steak dinner and, eventually, bed.

Tuesday 15th July (Day 5)

After breakfast we were going to cycle along the Weavers Way in the other direction to yesterday. However, Chris was not feeling well and so we just sat around and chilled. The weather looked a couple of times like rain but it held off. Around 1530 Chris felt better and suggested a walk to North Walsham - about three miles. Off we went and arrived in about forty-five minutes. Again a nice town. Soon after arriving it did start to rain. We scurried into the Black Swan. This is a community pub that is also a charity and runs a small theatre next door. The rain continued on and off; sometimes quite hard. To get back to the site by road is about three miles. I looked at a cab. Uber was £8; but there was none available. A local firn wanted to charge £33! We decided on a break in the rain to walk back and got back almost rain free. Then it wa s tea and more chilling until bed.

Wednesday 16th July (Day 6)

Morning arrived and …..rain. Both light and quite heavy. After breakfast we had to take the quest down and, mercifully, the rain stopped. Packed away and filled with water, as we are off again Friday, by just after 1000. The usual easy drive home, filling up with diesel on the way. Arriving at 1230